Home Modifications
 

Can someone give me a guideline for the cost of building an addition to an existing home? For example, adding square feet to a bedroom, adding a room and adding a golf cart garage. I realize there will be a range but a ball park with be a great help to me and my husband. Thanks a bunch!

I can't give you a ball park because our project is different but if you do decide to do this call Jim Arvanitis of Demetri Homes (352-427-2787). He just finished our addition and we couldn't be more pleased.

Could you give me an idea of square footage. Also are there any bathrooms or plumbing??

Two bedrooms each adding 4 feet addition by 13 1/2. Master bedroom addition 4 feet by 15. In all three bedrooms the closets would need to be enlarged and two of the bedrooms have tray ceilings that would need to be enlarged. Also a golf cart garage and the existing lanai is 8 1/2 x 18 and I want it enlarged to 18 x 25 under heat and air. Hope that gives you a general idea.

First of all I just want to say this is only a ball park idea to give you some idea of the cost associated with these modifications.
Based on square footage you would be somewhere between $60,000 and $70,000, this is depending on what options for finishes and upgrades you may choose.
The first step you must take is contacting the ARC to find out if your modifications will be allowed due to setbacks.
If you decide it's something you may want to do I would gladly do a true estimate to come up with an exact cost.
Visit us at Villageshomepros.com

What I don't understand Village Home Pros is usually the contractor can tell from the site plan if the home will allow any modifications. That being said why would I contact ARC when the contractor is supposed to be the liaison between the homeowner and ARC. I would think you would be aware of that.

We are very aware of that. That being said I was simply trying to help you. All additions must get ARC approval first and no I can not tell from your site plan if they will approve or deny. You asked for some advice and we were trying to accommodate, sorry if we somehow offended you!!

Geesh. No good deed goes unpunished. :)

Before we added our addition someone told me I had to go to the ARC first to see if I could add on. In all honesty the ARC made me feel that I wasted their time because I did not have a contractor. I was told to withdraw my application and get a contractor. Lesson learned.

A site plan shows what the setbacks are. That's all I was trying to convey. From what a contractor told me is that they would submit the plans to ARC after their engineer drafted a design for my approval.

Well we do things differently at Villages Home Professionals. We always get ARC approval before spending sometimes a thousand dollars or more of the customers money on engineering.
Good luck on your home modifications, I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Exactly, ColdNoMore, but not from a contractor. I wanted to find out if any other homeowners had work done and which contractor they would recommend and the cost. Village Home Pros is representing several contractors. I would take what they say with a grain of salt. I'm not saying they are good or bad but I haven't heard anyone on Talk of the Villages say they had work done by them.

OK, I see now.

As a suggestion for the future, it might have went better for you if you had stated from the beginning that you didn't want any expert/professional opinions.

Good luck.

You are exactly right!! I should have and didn't. Now I know why I stopped posting on this site. Thank you for making a situation very uncomfortable to say the very least. Have a great evening!!

:thumbup: You could always stop again. :confused: It is a positive attitude towards life that makes dreams come true??????

Home Modifications
 

I think I know why too...EVERYTHING ticks you off.

I found that going to the ARC with my site plan, and a red lined sketch of what the addition was going to be was great.

They helped answer my questions.

Then I hired Blue Water drafting to draw up the plans.

I want to add here that too many home owners make a major mistake of meeting several contractors and obtain bids after discussing want they want with each contractor.

you are NOT comparing apples to apples, in fact you're putting the cart before the horse.

THe better way is go and have a set of plans drawn up, cost $400-$1,000.

now go to ARC your self, if the contractor does the plans & app to ARC he has to add profit, and really doesn't want to do it.

Now take an approved set of plans and get 3-5 bids. :thumbup:

you can't do that if the contractor does that!!!!!


I'm fortunate that I don't hire contractors and deal with all the BS.

I do everything myself, but not everyone can.

So shop smart!


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Thank you very much for a very informative and intelligent response.:thumbup:

That is nasty whoever you are.

I have already met with two contractors and have an appointment with Jim Arvantis in two weeks. Both of the contractors that I spoke with saw my site plan and were able to determine that the project my husband and I have in mind will work. Thank you for your suggestion.